| Notes |
- This can not be the correct C. W. Coward. jkh This article was from 11 Sep 1935- C. W. would have been born in 1875. jkh
McBee man rescued; revered Maj. W. Loring Lee dies
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Posted: Sunday, May 16, 2010 6:00 am | Updated: 12:14 pm, Sun May 16, 2010.
By HUBERT OSTEEN
75 years ago - 1935
Week of Sept. 5-12
A McBee man was rescued after seven days in the Santee Swamp without food or a place to sleep except in the trees. C.W. Coward, 60, a robust railroad section foreman, "appeared to be little the worse for his experience today," the Wednesday, Sept. 11 story stated. Coward was lost while on a hunting trip when the backwash of the recent major Florida hurricane that swept over South Carolina flooded the swamp and prevented him from retracing his steps, causing him to climb up into trees to get some sleep. Searchers were joined by Ray Smith, an Atlanta aviator who piloted a Purol company plane equipped with a loudspeaker that enabled him to call out to Coward. Accompanying Smith in the search plane was Herbert Eldridge, who operates the Y Purol station next to the Sumter YMCA on West Liberty Street. Also assisting in the search were a National Guard officer and a state constable sent by Gov. Olin D. Johnston. Searchers were able to finally locate Coward when they heard his cries for help in the jungle-like swamp.
City schools Superintendent Dr. S.H. Edmunds was reported to be slowly improving after becoming ill a week earlier. According to the story, "It was stated that his condition was satisfactory, there having been no unfavorable developments. It is expected that complete rest over a period of several weeks will assure his recovery."
Mayor F.B. Creech announced that in spite of the city of Sumter's application for a federal loan for the construction of a theater and city jail in the present city hall building in the Opera House, city council is still working on the project and expects to put it through. The project was rejected on the grounds that it did not provide a sufficient number of jobs over a long enough period of time. The application is expected to be re-submitted to the federal government.
In national news, U.S. Sen. Huey P. Long, political dictator of Louisiana and known as the "Kingfish," died from a gunshot wound inflicted by a political opponent, Dr. C.A. Weiss Jr., at the state capitol in Baton Rouge as Long was walking through the corridors of the building. Weiss was immediately riddled with bullets by Long's bodyguards after firing what proved to be the fatal shot into the Kingfish's body at close range. Long was 42 years old, Weiss 30. Long was considered by many political experts as a potential challenger in 1936 to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. His political empire, which he built from humble beginnings in Louisiana, was growing in appeal to the common man on the theme of "Every man a king."
Advertisements during the week: Alpert's ladies store on North Main Street was promoting a fur coat event on the weekend with savings to 25 percent. The furs on sale included safra lapin, silver muskrat, kid skin, brown caracul and American broadtail, ranging in price from $35 to $195. ... Frank W. Chandler men's store at 35 S. Main St. was offering new fall suits, tailored to measure. Five hundred new fall samples were available to select from. ... The opening of a children's theater was announced for ages 3 to 12, under the direction of Josephine Dandridge at 151/2 S. Main St. "Sumter's newest dramatic club" will begin registration on Oct. 1. ... A back-to-school sale was in progress at Penney's department store on South Main Street. Boys' cassimere knickers, fully lined with knitted worsted cuffs, five pockets and separate waist band in checks and plain colors, made for tough wear, were priced at 98 cents, slipover sweaters for girls were on sale for 49 cents and 98 cents in a wide choice of necklines and patterns.
Playing at the Rex Theatre: "Oil for the Lamps of China" starring Pat O'Brien and Jean Muir played Thursday, followed by "Man Without Names" starring Fred MacMurray and Madge Evans on Friday. The Saturday shoot 'em up was "Outlaw Guns" starring Buck Jones and Pat O'Brien. The new week began with "Les Miserables" starring Fredric March and Charles Laughton for a two-day run, followed on Wednesday by "Four Hours to Kill" starring Richard Barthelmess, while on Thursday it was a comedy, "Don't Bet on Blondes," starring Warren William, Claire Dodd, Guy Kibbee and William Gargan.
50 Years Ago - 1960
Week of July 11-18
One of Sumter's most venerated citizens, Maj. W. Loring Lee, died at the age of 84. The obituary stated that his ancestors were among the first settlers of Sumter County, the Lees migrating from Virginia and the Lorings from Massachusetts in the mid- to late 1700s. He died in the house in which he was born, built in 1842 by his grandfather. Maj. Lee, a graduate of Washington and Lee University, served in the Spanish-American War with Capt. L.S. Carson's company of S.C. Volunteers and was a major in the South Carolina Militia. He was previously associated with the engineering firm of Lee McLelland Palmer and then with Lee, Murray and Palmer.
Maj. Lee was also project manager in the initial development of Manchester Forest, including Tiverton Farms, which he managed for 10 years. In addition, he served as a civilian safety engineer at Shaw Air Force Base. Maj. Lee was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, serving on the vestry for more than 30 years, and a charter member of the Sumter County Historical Society and the Sumter Game and Fish Association. A widower, his survivors included a son, W. Loring Lee Jr., and a daughter, Mrs. F. Marion Dwight III, plus five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Sumter delegates and alternate delegates to the Democratic National Convention held in Los Angeles returned home displeased by the first ballot nomination victory of Sen. John F. Kennedy. Delegate Sen. Henry B. Richardson was accompanied by alternates W.M. Hodge and W.T. McCracken. They had joined with the rest of the South Carolina delegation in support of Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson for the party's nomination. Hodge had questioned Kennedy at his meeting with the delegation, asking "How can you turn back from socialism if you follow this program of liberalism?", referring to the party platform that was strong on civil rights, The Item reported. Kennedy responded: "I think my program is a responsible one. I do not believe government control means production. I do not consider help for the old, sick and retired as socialism. No candidate in this race is running on a platform much different from my program. You will not find my record much different from the South Carolina senators."
The state delegation was somewhat placated when Kennedy chose Johnson as his vice presidential running mate. Following Kennedy's nomination, Shepard K. Nash, chairman of the Sumter County Democratic Committee, told Item reporter Bert Lunan he would not vote for Kennedy. He added, "I will not support the platform the Democrats have adopted," and expressed hope the state convention would reconvene and nominate independent electors.
Other party loyalists in Sumter echoed Nash's sentiments, such as Mayor S.A. Harvin, Mayor-elect Clifton G. Brown, and former mayors Fulton B. Creech and Edwin Boyle, all of whom supported Johnson for the nomination. Creech was particularly vocal in his criticism of the
national party, saying, "The trend of the convention proved again that the National Democratic Party is continuing on down the road to socialism and liberalism. It also proved again that the South will never gain recognition until it can present a solid front of its leaders at the convention."
However, by the following week delegate Henry Richardson, while disappointed in the treatment of South Carolina's delegation at the convention, urged a wait-and-see attitude. "I feel that we (the South Carolina delegation) have no place in the Republican Party, and although I feel that the Republican candidates and their platform could be just as obnoxious - or more obnoxious - to us as the Democratic candidates and platform, I think the thing to do is for the delegates who went to Los Angeles to get together in a couple of weeks - after having the opportunity to compare parties - and recommend a course of action consistent with the feelings of the people of South Carolina, generally, and consistent with what is best for South Carolina."
Back in his office on Main Street, Richardson, an attorney, added that he was happy to be at home again, "away from the insults of Northern liberals and California's smog," Lunan reported.
The Sumter YMCA Board of Directors approved renaming its camp site in Manchester Forest, formerly known as Camp Sumter, to "Camp Mac Boykin" in honor of the late sportsman and civic leader who was instrumental in creating the camp and arranging for the major portion of his estate to go to the camp for less fortunate boys. A trust fund set up by Mac Boykin's estate is administered by a board of trustees consisting of John S. Wilson, Harry E. Wilkinson and Wortham W. Dibble.
A large group of Sumter County Boy Scouts was preparing to attend the National Jamboree at Colorado Springs, Col., on July 22-28. They include Dan Turbeville Jr., Eddie Soler, Rocky Thomas, Bill Mayes, Jimmy Gland, Bill Dabbs, Benton Lutz, Jeffrey Ream, Jonathan Alcott, Tommy Reeves, Joseph Arbuckle, Tommy White, John Fishburne, Fred Ortmann, Gaither Shaw Jr., Jonathan B. Kaye, Ray Segars, Don Dubose, Chuck Howell, Billy Lynam and Brian Eargle.
A freak ear of corn was displayed by 7-year-old Brenda Parker in a photo. The single ear of corn contained five separate ears, and it was discovered by Mrs. Laverne Parker of 127 Weatherly Road in a bushel of corn.
Sports news: Veteran driver Ralph Earnhardt of Kannapolis, N.C., won the main event at Sumter Raceway, finishing ahead of Rock Raines of Hartsville, who was followed in third by Russell Blackmon of Florence, Gerald Best of Hartsville, fourth, and Johnny King of Hartsville, fifth. Sumter's highest finisher was H.C. Pritchard in sixth place. Earnhardt is the current national limited sportsman champion.
Defending city tennis champion Jim Jones repeated by winning in straight sets over his doubles partner, Fred Willson, 6-0, 6-4 and 6-0 in a finals match played at Memorial Park. Willson and Jones also won the doubles crown. ... Famous wrestler Gorgeous George headed the feature bout at Thursday's Riley Park event. George will meet handsome Bill Boyer in a two out of three falls match. According to the story, "George will return with his pretty redhead valetee, Cheri DuPre. The pretty little French girl caused a big stir among the fans here a few weeks ago - especially the men - when she entered the ring prior to George's appearance and sprayed with a sweet-smelling perfume. She'll do the same here this Thursday, and George will again toss his famous 'Georgie pins' to the spectators." Also appearing in Columbia promoter Henry Marcus' mat show will be "the sensational young Indian from Canada, Billy Two Rivers."
Advertisements during the week: Jack's Department Store at Main and Liberty promoted the arrival of a new shipment of ladies' high grade brand name shoes, values from $9.95 to $22.95, on sale from $5 to $8, plus a new shipment of men's golf shoes, priced down from $10 to $13. ... Mrs. Mary Roy Hamblen announced the opening of the new Nu-Mode Beauty Box at 307 Broad St., holding open house on Tuesday, July 12, and offering door prizes and refreshments.
Dealers Wholesale offered low prices on building materials at its Newberry Street location out Manning Avenue, locally owned and operated for the past six years by L.T. Dowle, Logan Phillips and Otis Arnold. ... Kirby's appliance store at 415 E. Liberty St. was having a sale on the new Frigidaire refrigerator, two-door with top freezer, priced as low as $149 on a trade-in, no down payment and no hidden charges.
Playing at the downtown theaters: "3 Murderesses" starring Alain Delon, billed as the "Boy Bardot" completed its showing at the Carolina, followed by "Flame Over India" starring Lauren Bacall, Kenneth More and Herbert Lom. For the weekend, the feature was "David and Bathsheba," starring Gregory Peck and Susan Hayward, beginning Sunday.
At the Sumter, "Bells Are Ringing" starring Judy Holliday and Dean Martin ran Monday and Tuesday, followed by "Duel in the Sun," back by popular demand, starring Gregory Peck and Jennifer Jones. For the weekend, "The Rat Race" starring Tony Curtis and Debbie Reynolds began showing on Friday.
Contact Editor Hubert Osteen at Hubert@theitem.com or (803)774-1298.
Posted in Looking back, Yesteryear on Sunday, May 16, 2010 [11]
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1890 - 1974 (83 years)
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